Security settings are important for protecting sensitive information in the PDF document. If the user encrypts and secures PDF files to prevent unauthorized access or to restrict sensitive operations, the user can choose what others can and cannot do with the PDF documents. The operations include document viewing, printing, editing, and copying, which can all be individually turned on or off, offering control in protecting sensitive information.
The PDF Security features of Black Ice PDF and ColorPlus Printer Drivers allow the following actions:
Secure PDF documents using 40 bit or 128 bit RC4 encryption.
Restrict unauthorized users from viewing, printing, editing, and copying content from the PDF files.
Password-protected PDF files, which require users to enter a password to open or edit the file.
PDF Security settings can be configured under PDF Settings > Security.
· Select encryption length - This value defines the length of the encryption key. Available values: No Encryption, 40 bit Encryption, or 128 bit Encryption. Black Ice Printer Drivers use the RC4 algorithm for encryption.
· Password required to open the document (User level) - If specified, the document can only be opened with the password. If an owner-level password is also set, this password acts as a user password allowing only limited access specified by the owner. The user can specify a user password only if the encryption has been set. If the user password is empty but encryption is turned on, the PDF document is still encrypted but does not require a password to open the document. The password must be maximum 32 characters.
· Password required to edit the document (Owner level) - If specified, opening the document with the correct owner password allows complete access to the document. You can specify an owner password only if the encryption has been set. If the owner password is empty, the PDF document is still encrypted and the user has all access to the document. The password must be maximum 32 characters.
The following table lists the available options:
|
Encryption |
User-level password |
Owner-level password |
Usage |
|
No encryption |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Resulting PDF document can be opened and edited freely. |
|
40 or 128 bit |
Not specified |
Not specified |
PDF is encrypted, but can be opened and edited. Content is encrypted, therefore unsearchable. |
|
40 or 128 bit |
Not specified |
Specified |
The owner can specify which restriction applies to users. |
|
40 or 128 bit |
Specified |
Not specified |
PDF can only be opened by this password. In this case, the user has complete access. |
|
40 or 128 bit |
Specified |
Specified |
Combination of the two above: a password is required to open the document. The owner can specify which restriction applies to users. If opened with the user password, the user probably has limited access. If the document is opened by the owner password, the user has complete access to edit or change user permissions. |
· Security Settings - These settings are enabled if the owner password is not empty.
· Allow users to print the PDF document - If this option is checked, the PDF document can be printed.
· Allow users to copy out text and graphics - If this option is checked, users can copy/paste text and graphics from the PDF.
· Allow users to fill in form fields and modify comments - The form fields and the comments can be changed by the users in the PDF document.
· Allow users to change the PDF document - Allows the users to edit the contents of the pages, metadata, and other settings of the PDF document.